The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-07-21

siderable promise. Bat. like many other
men 10 thai position. be sas often hsndi-
capped by the want oi ready money, for
though his pictures were ,olersbly well
spoken Of by the critics and lauded 10 the
skies by his friends. The picture dealers
ooly gave him . very moderate price for
them.
SILL, 10 spite Of this drawback. Meeilp,
being oi cheerful. happy golueky dis
: position, kept mp bis courage, worked
early and late in his studio, and believed
nrmly that some day turn 10 hm Affairs
would come He had married early .
young lady possessed Of more beauty than
fortune; In fact. Mrs. Megilp's marriage
portion Of 600 only Just paid for the fur
nishiDg Of the house Ind studio at Ken
sinstos. where the young couple began
housekeeping
Bnt. With the best intentions, the young
wife vas cot q very skilful manager; so
10 due course the trades people became
restive and refused further supplies until
their little bills we're psid. When Mich
ssl Angelo and his wife came to add up
their liabilities they found that they
amounted TO nearly f200--s sum total
which seemed terrific to poor little Mrs.
Megilp.
Where on earth can we get f200, An.
gya" she cried, clAsping her hands tragi-
cslly. "All your pictures, even il you
could sell them. would not bring half that
sum"
There's the furniture, you know,
Msdge," hazarded Megip. ut was pur-
chased with your money. What do you
say to-"
"Oh. dont--dont sell it; l couldn't
bear to part with all my pretty things,
she interrupted, with q loving glance
round her drawing room, which was quite
8 picture Of modest elegance.
II shouldnt think Of asking you to
make such sacrifice, my dear, replied
Michael Angelo, soothingly; "but We
could raise f200 on that easily"
You're right-quite sure the furniture
would be ssfe?"
Perfectly sure; and think know the
man who will do the business-a bill OF
sale. you know-not half bad way of
raising money"
Accordingly Mogip went the next morn
ing down to Wsrdour street and in dirty
little bric.a brsc shop he unesrthed the
worthy Israelite who WAS to oblige him
with the loan.
"You want 600 on q bill OF sale on
your furniture?" said Mr.. Zerubbabel,
when the artist had explained his errand.
II must come down 10 your house and
see what You have got before can give
you 40 answer"
Surely you can take my word that
there is more than ample security for the
amount l want. Besides presents, we
ourselves spent over f6Oo pounds two
years ago." replied Michael Angelo.
Mr.. Zerubbabel laid his fiat forefnger
along his great. hooked nose and winked,
adding:
II dare say. Still, I'd rather have q
look at il before We do business. If you
give me Jour address. I'll call on you to-
morrow"
Michsel Angelo swallowed his vexation
Is best be could, gave bis address and left
the brig.a-brac shop. /
Mr.. Zerubbsbel duly paid his visit OF
inspection, and in the course Of few days ,
the negotiation was .faa accomph. The
Megilp paid their bills, the trades people
smiled once more on Mrs. Megilp, and
matters went on quite smoothly for sever. ,
81 months. The interest on the e200 was
punctuslly paid, and early in the year
Michsel Angelo finished the picture he
intended 10 send 10 to Burlington house.
Every one who entered the studio prophe-
sled great things Of this picture, and
every one agreed that 'Chloe Counting ,
her chickens vas. 80 far ss Megip's chef ,
d enpre. The artist himself founded all ;
his hopes Of fame on this charming work
II won't take q penny less than f50O for :
il, he said to his wife after the visit Of an
art critic TO bis studio. 'Carper says it
will take the town by storm and SO it
will"
II wish you could sell /, soon. sighed
Mrs. Megilp. II often feel uncomfortable /,
about that dreadful bill OF sale--t's like
what's his names sword hanging over our
heads
"Oh, the furniture is we'll enough, re-
piled Michael Angelo, lightly. But l
tell you what it is, Msdge. it handicaps
me frishtlully 10 have bill Of sale regis
tered against me"
"Why don't you 60 and see Zerubbabel,
snd try TO come to terms with him" sug-
gested Mrs. Megilp. ''Of course he has
hesrd Of Chloe every one has and il =
you promise 10 pay him when you have 8
sold your picture. surely be cant refuse to Y
give you back that borrid document
Though hardly taking this optimistic =
view Of matters, Mesilp acted on Lis wife's
advice and forthwith paid . visit to Mr. ?
shop.
When he had preferred bis request, the
bric-a- -brac seller smiled and shook his Y
head. {
"Micsh Zerubbsbel wasn't born yester- !,
day." be said. with cunning look In his k
tvipklins black eyes. "Your picture may
not be worth f5 note. o.
ITS worth st least 600. broke 10 the
artist. reddening. 'Carper said So.
who's Carperf But even II the pic b
tnre we're worth 400. grinned Mr. Ze- Il
ut uouldn't pay me to buy il at "
..aL ...... Ri -. L. -. ...a A.. %